Parlor baseball game



z- 5. 19 o. w. ESCH 2,606,029

PARLOR BASEBALL GAME Filed Dec. 18, 1948 ii I H11 42 IN V EN TOR.

i atenteci Aug. 5,

PARLOR BASEBALL GAME Oscar W. Esch, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application December 18, 1948, Serial No. 66,037

2 Claims. (01. 273-93) This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus and more particularly to that type of apparatus by which a game closely simulating baseball may be played.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus whereby a game resembling the sequence of playof an actual baseball game is capable of being played and of holding the interest of both experts and novices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a parlor baseball game which includes a rotatable cylinder upon which is printed a series of circumferential columns, on each of whichare delineated indicia or abbreviations for various plays which represent the possible plays or acts of each player while at bat during a baseball game, there being pointers for coaction with the columns during use.

A further object is to provide an improved game wherein there is a sequence of plays resulting in a realistic continuity from inning to, inning, with imaginary players being used in the same sequence or batting order that actual players would be used.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus by which a record is kept of the player on each team who is at bat or next at bat as play continues.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game wherein the players come up in 'a regular batting order, and whereinthe play is so arranged that better batting results are obtained by the early batters in the batting order just as in an actual baseball game.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a baseball game wherein there is a cylinder having nine circumferential sections, one for each batter in the batting order, each section being subdivided into a plurality of columns which may be optionally chosen by the contestant.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a game as above described wherein there are special sections and columns to provide for bunting, for stealing of bases, and for pinch hitting.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved parlor baseball game, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one complete embodiment of the prefered form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views I one perforation of each row positioned below posed end pieces 23 and 24 which project-up:

wardly from the base, there being a rotatable cylinder ll having projecting trunnions [2 which are journaled in the end pieces 23 and'24. The protruding end of either trunnion l2 maybe employed to spin the cylinder by hand. j

In accordance with the present invention the rotatable cylinder II has a plurality of circumferential sections [3 each of which is subdivided into a plurality of columns l3. Each column in turn is composed of indicia bearing squares of similar size except that in certain instances a group of three columns may be used to form a single elongated space extending across the width of an entire section as indicated at M in Fig. 1-.

In this case the result is that all three columns show the same act or play. The indicia and column lines maybe printed directly upon the roller or upon a sheet or covering affixed to the cylinder. As shown, each section comprises an individual set, preferably of three, circumferen-' tial columnsthere being one section for each" player in the batting order and these sections are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Band 9, as illustrated. In addition, an extra section 2| is provided for use when there is a pinch-hitter, Two, single circumferential columns Hand is; are

also provided, one to use when it is elected" to buntas at [5, and the other column l6 when it is elected to attempt a stolen base. Anydesired number of circumferential columns mayv be used in each section or more than one may beused for the bunt and stolen base columns.

Upon the forward portion of the" frame is an elongated strip [7 extending longitudinally of theaxis of the rotatable cylinder. This strip has perforations l8 arranged in two rows with a player section. These perforations are employed to receive movable markers such as thumb tacks l9 and 20. The markers may be colored to differentiate from each other and to distinguish the two teams playing. As successive players come to bat, the marker for that particular team is moved longitudinally into the perforation which corresponds with the next player in the batting order.

Suitable indicating means such as a series of pointers 25 along the edge of the strip I1 and adjacent to the cylinder is also employed, there preferably being one pointer for each circumferential column. Thus, there are three such pointers for each of the regular nine player section and for the pinch hitter section, and one each for the bunt column I5 and for the stolen base column [6.

In following the play of a considerable number of actual baseball games, it has been found that when a player is batting, that of the possible resulting plays, there is a greater frequency for certain plays. This invention incorporates very closely the same probability and resulting plays of an actual game. The players for each teamare represented by the sections numbered from 1 to 9, and the possible resultant plays as expressed by the indicia t each column are so arranged that the strongest batters of a team are at thebeginning of the batting order or in lead oif positions as in an actual baseball game. Thus, in Fig. 1, player 1 is the lead off man of the team and the batting order follows with each successive player.

As a means of adding versatility and to deter memorizing the possible plays on each circumferential section, a choice of one of the three circumferential columns forming each player section is first made before the cylinder is spun. Thus, player 6 of team A would have a Ball called against him if he chose column 1 in that player's column. The choice of three columns to represent each player is believed to be suiiicient to provide variation and yet keep the game simple.

This invention may be used in conjunction with any standard playing board representing a baseball diamond and having means for markingor showing the positions of the players while at bat and while on the bases. Also, there may be any conventional means for showing the inning and the score such as the scoreboard at a regular baseball park.

When it is elected to use a pinch-hitter in place of the usual player, the pinch-hitter section 2i is substituted and used in the same manner as the player sections. Thereafter, the play continues withthe next regular player section at the right of the section for which the pinch-hitter was substituted.

When it is elected to attempt to steal a base, the cylinder II is spun and the result isread in thestolen base column l6. Thus, as shown in 1, the pointer for the stolen base column I6 points to the indicia S. A. meaning that the player is safe. If it is elected to try abunt, the cylinder H is spun and the result is read upon the bunt column [5, in Fig. 1. The pointer for column shows the result to be F. O. or fly out.

In all other respects the game is played the same as a real baseball game.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A parlor baseball game comprising: a frame; a cylinder supported for rotation in said frame; means dividing the periphery of said cylinder into nine consecutively numbered circumferentially extending sections, each section representing the player of a baseball team having the corresponding numerical position in the batting order of said team, and each section containing at least one circumferential column of indicia representing various plays which in type and frequency of occurrence are typical for the particular batting order position; indicating means on the frame positioned to coact with said indicia to indicate plays when the cylinder comes to rest after being rotated; and means positionable adjacent a selected one of said sections for indicating the player who is at bat.

2. A parlor baseball game comprising: a frame; a cylinder supported for rotation in said frame; means dividing the periphery of said cylinder into nine consecutively numbered 'circumferentially extending sections, each section representing the player of a baseball team having the corresponding numerical position in the batting order of said team, and each section containing at least one circumferential column of indicia representing various plays which in type and frequency of occurrence are typical for the particular batting order position, and there being a pinch hitter section on said cylinder for selective use alternatively to the section which would normally be used for a given batting order position; indicating means on the frame positioned to coact with said indicia to indicate plays when the cylinder comes to rest after being rotated; and means positionable adjacent a selected one of said sections for indicating the player who is at bat.

OSCAR W. ESCH.

, REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

